Sindh govt developing web portal for extortion complaints: Lanjar

KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar announced has said that the provincial government is developing a web portal to help traders register complaints related to extortion and other crimes.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Police Office alongside Sindh Police Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon and Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, Lanjar said the initiative aims to provide convenience and protection to the business community.

“All complaints received through the portal will be acted upon immediately, and swift police response will be ensured,” he said.

Lanjar said that any report of extortion threats or slips submitted via the new web platform would lead to the prompt registration of an FIR and legal proceedings.

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Additional IG Javed Alam Odho noted that the initiative was being introduced to address traders’ long-standing grievances about difficulties in lodging FIRs at police stations.

The home minister stressed that protecting the business community and ensuring a safe and free environment for trade remained one of the Sindh government’s top priorities.

He acknowledged that extortion had become a growing concern in recent months, particularly in Karachi, the country’s financial hub.

“The government’s foremost goal is to maintain a peaceful environment so traders can carry out their business without fear,” Lanjar said.

He said that although the issue had been “exaggerated,” the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), and district police were “fully committed to eradicating this crime through coordinated and effective operations.”

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Lanjar further revealed that two criminal groups — led by Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari — were operating from Iran and involved in running extortion rackets.

“A formal request for the issuance of red warrants has already been sent, and the Sindh government will seek assistance from the federal interior ministry to ensure their arrest,” he said.

Calling extortion in Karachi a “serious and sensitive issue,” Lanjar reiterated the government’s resolve to maintain a business-friendly atmosphere. However, he stressed that “public cooperation is crucial” in combating the crime.

He said four extortionists linked to the Lakho and Kathiawari groups had been killed in recent police operations.

Odho added that 20 suspected extortionists had been arrested over the past two weeks.

“The government will not allow any gang or criminal element to distribute extortion slips or terrorise citizens,” Lanjar said.

According to a police crime data report released on Wednesday, 118 extortion incidents were reported in Karachi so far in 2025.

Of these, 44 were confirmed as genuine extortion cases, while 74 were linked to personal or business disputes. Police said 39 of the 44 verified cases had been solved, reflecting an 87 per cent success rate.

The report also noted a marked decrease in street crimes compared to last year — daily incidents dropped from 252 in 2024 to 167 in 2025, a 52 per cent reduction.

A crime statistics report showed that six people were killed in Karachi up to September 2025, compared to 13 deaths recorded in January 2024.